Chapter 14 - Before Sunrise
The stranger entered the dining room.
"My name is Victor Hale."
Ethan's father immediately sat down.
Margaret looked frightened.
Claire stared at them.
"You know him."
No one answered.
Victor placed a leather folder on the table.
"I've waited a long time for this family to stop pretending."
Daniel remained silent.
Claire turned toward him.
"You knew."
"I knew he existed."
"That's not the same thing."
"No."
Victor looked at Claire.
"Your brother has spent years trying to keep you away from this."
Claire frowned.
"From what?"
Victor smiled.
"Your father's final agreement."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Enough."
Victor laughed quietly.
"Still protecting her."
Claire looked at Daniel.
"What agreement?"
Daniel said nothing.
Victor opened the folder.
"There is a clause."
Claire stepped closer.
"What clause?"
Victor's eyes moved toward Ethan.
"One that changes who controls several assets connected to this family."
Ethan stared.
"That's impossible."
Victor looked at him.
"You never read the original."
"Because it was handled by my father."
"Exactly."
Victor closed the folder.
"And now the original is missing."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Where is it?"
Victor smiled.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"Whether Claire wants the truth."
Everyone looked at her.
Claire's voice was steady.
"I do."
Daniel looked at her.
Victor nodded.
"Then tomorrow morning, you should be at the old Brooks property."
Claire frowned.
"Why?"
Victor walked toward the door.
"Because that's where your father hid what he knew."
He stopped.
"And because someone has already arrived there."
The door closed.
Claire turned toward Daniel.
"Who?"
Daniel did not answer.
His phone buzzed.
He read the message.
His face changed.
Claire stepped closer.
"What?"
Daniel showed her the screen.
A photograph.
The old Brooks property.
A light glowing inside.
May you like
And beneath it:
She is already there.
